Privately Owned Housing and the Council

Despite the District Council no longer owning any social housing, it does have a wider role as a Housing Authority.

Bridgetown Housing Development

As a housing authority, the Council, as part of its Strategy, has to review the District's housing stock and ensure that the number and types of new houses built are what are needed locally. It also has to ensure that the existing stock of houses remains in proper and fit condition for the future. Although owners have the primary responsibility for looking after their property, the Council has a role in both developing and safeguarding what is, in effect, a major national asset. In this role the Council has to report regularly to the government on the condition of properties in their area and the action they have taken to safeguard that asset.

In addition to looking after the condition of local housing, the Council is committed to ensuring that the living conditions of individual residents are at least satisfactory, and meet the minimum standards, where possible. In the case of properties with listed building status, it might not be possible or practicable to achieve full compliance with all the standards. Poor housing can influence health directly if it is cold or damp or draughty, but unsatisfactory accommodation can also affect lives in other ways, such as increasing the likelihood of injury and other health problems. We by provide advice and assistance, but also take enforcement action where it is required in order to achieve this.

Conditions in privately owned property

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that any property they let is satisfactory and owner-occupiers are responsible for the condition of their own homes.

The Council has a range of powers to ensure that privately rented property is satisfactory and achieves appropriate standards. If need be it can take action to require landlords to act.

In addition, the Council also has a legal duty to deal with unfit property whether this is rented or owner-occupied. (Properties are unfit if they fail to meet the fitness standards set down in legislation). The standard covers a range of issues, both internal and external, and so houses do not have to be 'falling down' to be unfit. Whilst this duty can sometimes mean that we have to insist owner-occupiers carry out certain works, our first concern is to try to help improve their living conditions.

We can usually provide advice and assistance and, in a number of instances, help with grants and loans. The Housing Renewal Team can provide particular help with organising works and financial matters for older people.

Conditions in rented property

Privately rented accommodation, just like owner-occupied or social housing, should be in satisfactory condition. Whether the rent is high or modest, the actual accommodation luxurious or basic, and whether or not Housing Benefit helps towards the cost, all privately rented accommodation should be dry, safe, secure and capable of being kept warm.

Landlords usually have every reason to maintain their property and will normally take appropriate steps to remedy problems; but property can sometimes fall into an unsatisfactory condition. This can occur for a variety of reason; sometime there is a failure to recognise that a problem exists at all. In the case of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), although the properties themselves may be in a satisfactory condition, they may not have been properly adapted for multiple occupation and may not have the required planning permission.

The Council has legal powers to get repairs and improvements carried out in a number of different situations if the circumstances warrant it. We can and do take formal action but will use informal methods in preference where they are appropriate.

If formal notices are needed, they will include time limits for completing the work. Council officers from the Environmental Protection Team will check to ensure that the work gets done. If a landlord disregards a notice, the Council has the ability to prosecute but can also arrange for the work to be completed at the landlord's expense (this is called work carried out in default). These powers are not normally needed but are used when required.

In addition to dealing with disrepair, safety and appropriate improvements, the Council also has powers to get filthy premises cleared, though such problems are often linked to social and health issues and can require joint working with other agencies to resolve satisfactorily.

Warwickshire Trading Standards produces guidelines on consumer safety in rented accomodation, which can be viewed by clicking on the website link on the right. The Health and Safety Executive website also contains information on gas safety which can also be accessed by clicking on the relevant link on the right.

For further information please contact the Environmental Protection Team on 01789 260834, or by emailing housing@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Please Note: much of the legislation concerning fitness is to be significantly altered by the 2004 and is expected to come into force in the latter part of 2005. However, the information above remains correct at the present time.